Jill Heather Slatter

Jill was born on June 20th, 1946, in Walthamstow, London, England to Harry & Edna Kemsley. Jill was an only child and was doted on by her loving parents.

Jill excelled at school and joined the National Westminster Bank as a bank teller in the days when all entries were made manually. Her least favorite day of the year was January 1st when the Automobile Association renewals came due at £5 each! She later worked for a Lloyds Insurance Brokers in London.

Following her marriage to Ken Taylor, they welcomed two children, Kay & Stuart. Much of Jill’s time was then spent focused on the needs of Stuart who was both autistic and deaf. In 1981, Ken’s job with Gilbarco presented an opportunity to move to Greensboro, NC. Moving to America provided a new life and greater support for Stuart’s education and future.

Jill returned to England in 1987. In 1990 she married Terry Slatter and together moved back to America in 1992. Jill joined United Healthcare in administration and later moved to Replacements Ltd, during her recovery from her first breast cancer. Jill often wondered if her short, cropped hair, at that time, contributed to her success in securing her position at Replacements!

Jill retired from Replacements after 16 years of service. The many relationships that she formed during this time were very meaningful to her.

Both she and Terry were avid travelers and made it a point to ensure they visited all of their chosen destinations at least once and some, multiple, multiple times! They were both passionately committed to travel while they were both able and have such fond memories from their adventures.

In between their travels, Jill was a committed volunteer at the Alight Foundation, at the Wesley Long Cancer Center. She dedicated much of her time to those in need of support and guidance. Jill was a founder member of the Brittania Club and actively involved in planning and hosting events for the past 40 years. Some of her closest and dearest friends came from the club.

As well as traveling and volunteering, Jill was grandmother to Charlotte, Harry and Kemsley, step-mother to Mark, Anita and Julian and step-grandmother to Georgie and Cameron.

Jill’s life, therefore, was a busy one, but she had the uncommon ability to make time for each person she cared for and make them feel valued, understood and supported. She managed to do this while, at the same time, finding herself facing cancer again and again.

Jill successfully overcame a second breast cancer diagnosis as well as a later melanoma diagnosis. Through all of this, she remained steadfast and focused on the future. Even her most recent, 4th cancer challenge, a blood cancer, was well managed and again, did not slow her pace of life. Sadly, her 5th cancer diagnosis, merkel skin cancer, resulting operation and radiation was followed by Stage 4 liver cancer.

To be diagnosed and overcome cancer four times, is a strength than most of us cannot begin to comprehend. But most importantly, Jill was an amazing person. One capable of love, kindness and whose inner light reflected on others in a warm and comforting way. This love brought her many friends that were so important to Jill. She felt their love and support during each of her health challenges.

Jill’s battle with merkle and her physical depletion from radiation therapy and blood dyscrasia did not dim her love of life and her enjoyment of the people she loved. She was a ray of sunshine and we are diminished at her passing.

Jill is survived by her husband, Terry Slatter of Greensboro, her daughter and son-in-law, Kay and Mick Thornton of Greensboro, her grandchildren, Charlotte and Harry Hardy and Kemsley Thornton, her step-children, Anita and Julian Slatter, and her step-grandchildren, Georgie and Cameron Slatter.

A Service of Remembrance and Celebration of Life will be held at Hanes Lineberry, Guilford Memorial Park, 6000 W. Gate City Boulevard, Greensboro, NC 27407 on Friday, November 3rd at 2:00 p.m. A reception with refreshments will follow in the Sedgefield Room at Hanes-Lineberry.

The family ask that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Alight Foundation; Cone Health Giving Opportunity – Cancer Care | Cone Health (conehealthphilanthropy.org).